Despite my best efforts, my thoughts drift to the timing of the theft. The super worm could have taken those files at any time. So why now? Because Niall’s been reading through them? Or because we were sorting Warriors by symbols? No. I will not try to figure this out. The security team can do it.
“Lyra!” My father’s happy voice breaks my concentration sometime…later. He climbs from the hatch and gives me a quick hug. “I didn’t know you’d be here today.”
That’s because the General never falsely accused me of deleting files. I swallow that thought.
Dad gives me the parental once-over. “Are you okay?”
No. We’re surrounded by shadow-blobs. “I’m fine. I’ve been here for…”
“Two hours,” Beau supplies dryly.
Wow. “Without any problems.” Which is true.
“Do you want to see what’s going on with the hearts?” Dad asks.
“Sure.”
“Come on, then.”
Beau and I follow my father down into the factory. It’s darker and cooler. The air smells damp. I brace, expecting a profusion of shadow-blobs, but there are none. In fact, the heavy pressure on my shoulders lifts. It’s a relief to be down here.
“We’ve gotten 3D digital images of them all,” Dad explains as he leads the way. “Except for the backs of course. But we confirmed they’re indeed modeled after human hearts and are life-sized as well. The symbols on the hearts match the one row of your octagon. And there are exactly eight symbols on each one. I’m hypothesizing there will be eight on the back as well.”
More proof the number eight is very important. Did the creators just like the number or is there a mathematical or scientific reason?
“Dad, did you figure out what substance the hearts are made of?”
“The chemists listed a bunch of unpronounceable chemicals, but there were a number of unknown substances, too. Best they can match it to is a form of pumice.”
“Not helpful.”
“No. But at one point they were…wet, then molded and dried…somehow. Plus they’re as old as the Warriors so that’s why we think they’re so brittle.”
We enter the large cavern and weave around the tables until we arrive at the back. There are a number of techs with protective gloves on who are hunched over the hearts, but no one touches them. There are a few empty spaces.
“What happened to them?” I ask.
“Failed attempts to move the hearts. All we want to do is look at the back of just one! Even if there aren’t more symbols, there might be something else equally important. We tried to slide a metal spatula under one, it crumbled to dust as soon as it was touched. Same with using glass, plastic, and even paper. The techs are measuring to see if we can use controlled air cushions.”
“Air cushions?”
“I’ve no idea how it works, but the engineers offered to build it and said it would be gentle enough.” Dad watches the workers. “The creators had to lift the hearts to put them into the Warriors. Maybe they used antigravity devices or had some advanced tech.”
I think about the General. There’s nothing on the inside of his chest that would hold a heart—unless it broke off, but then I’d see where it did and I’m sure the experts would have picked up on that long ago. Besides, the heart doesn’t have to be in the chest. Just because everything else is lifelike, doesn’t mean that it has to be. Yet…they made a point to build everything to life-size. So if the hearts are in the proper position, then they would have to be attached to— “Terracotta,” I blurt out.
“What?” Dad asks.
“Did you try using terracotta to move them?”
“Yes. I thought of the same thing, that maybe the hearts stick to the clay since we haven’t found any evidence of how they’re attached to the Warriors. It didn’t work.”
How else would they do it? I mull it over. “What about before the Warriors were fired? When the clay was still wet and soft? Maybe it sticks then.”
My father beams at me. “It’s worth a try.” He hums to himself. “We would need to find clay on this planet, though.”
“Can’t your chemists mix up a batch?” Beau asks.
“No. It needs to match the terracotta used for the Warriors.”
“In that case, you’ll need to import some from Earth,” I say. “Should only take a hundred and forty-five years—plus or minus a day or two.”
Dad gives me this funny look as if he’s holding back a sneeze. I study him with my daughter’s power of observation—it was included with the birth package. He’s trying to keep something secret.
“Beau, can I have a private word with my father please?”
“Uh, sure.”
I grab Dad’s arm and pull him away from Beau and the workers, but still within sight. “Okay fess up,” I whisper.
“About what?” He tries for innocence, but he’s fidgeting with his cuffed sleeves, smoothing the folded fabric.
Sweeping my arm out, I indicate the tables with the Warriors lying on them. “You discovered that they manufactured Warriors on Yulin, didn’t you?”
He wilts. “I’m not saying anything until we have proof.”
“Did you find a clay deposit?” I ask.
His gaze returns to his cuffs.
“Dad.” I match Mom’s tone when she’s caught you doing something you shouldn’t.
It works. “The geologists think they have, but the chemists haven’t confirmed it yet.”
“That’s promising. And it would prove you’re right that the aliens learned how to make the Warriors from the Chinese.”
He frowns. “Yeah, but we can’t report any of this until we have a secure channel to DES. I haven’t even reported about the factory and hearts yet.”
That’s a surprise. “But that was before the looters attacked.”
“I know,” Dad says. “I just had this...feeling and with Xinji and all...I just couldn’t do it. Your mother agreed to wait until we have proof that no unauthorized people are reading our reports to DES.”
I open my mouth to offer to try to create a secure channel for him, but close it. Instead, I say, “Ask Officer Radcliff to have one of his security officers look into building one for you.”
“They can do that?”
I showed Beau plenty of techniques. He might be able to design a channel that ensures there are no gaps. “Maybe.” And before my father can ask more questions, I say, “I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”
“Not tonight. Your mother and I have a dinner meeting. We’ll catch up with you tomorrow night.”
Dinner with just me, Radcliff, and Niall. Ugh. I’m no longer starving. Maybe I should work on the General instead. We return to the hatch and climb up to the pits. Immediately, the air thickens around me. The shadows jump to life. After the peace of the factory, I don’t have the stamina to ignore them. It’s a quiet trip to the lab where my dad hugs me and asks me to keep our conversation private.
“I know the drill, Dad.”
He pauses. “You certainly do, Li-Li. We’ll make an archaeologist out of you yet.”
“You think so? I’ve been contemplating another career option.”
“Security?”
I huff in derision. “Please. What do you think of criminal mastermind?”
Dad glances at Beau. The man isn’t amused. Too bad.
“Considering you’re on probation, do you think it’s wise to announce that?” Dad asks mildly.
They already believe it…or, at least Radcliff does. But I’m smart enough to keep that thought to myself. “I think it will add to the challenge.”
Dad laughs. “Good luck with your new career.”
“Thank you.”
We part and I reluctantly head toward security with my escort.
“No need to be mad at me,” Beau says into the silence. “I vouched for you.”
“I’m not mad at you.”
“You sure could have fooled me.”
“I’m just angry.”
He’s
quiet for a few steps. “That super worm matched your style.”
That’s scary. I slow. Jarren taught me how to worm and he learned from Warrick Nolt, but eventually we all develop our own styles. So to match one is just more evidence that we are dealing with an extremely talented person who may have bypassed all security in the Q-net. “I’m listening.”
“Niall asked me to investigate, and, I’ll admit after seeing your worm tracks, I was pessimistic about finding any proof of your innocence.”
A bit of softness cuts through my ire. Niall trusts me. Unlike Beau and Radcliff. “At least you still looked.”
“Yes. Niall owes me one.” He flashes a cocky grin. “And that shortcut of yours is a thing of beauty.”
Ah, appealing to my ego. Good man. Still mad, though. “Except for Niall, did any of you question that I would do something like that? Yes, I’ve wormed illegally—I am on probation after all—but have I ever done anything on that scale before?”
Beau has the decency to drop his gaze.
“No! Not one of you gave me the benefit of the doubt!” A fresh wave of fury swells and I increase my pace.
We’re almost to Radcliff’s unit when Beau touches my elbow. “I’m sorry, Lyra. I won’t do it again.”
His sincere apology cools some of my anger.
“Still friends?” he asks.
Ah, hell. I couldn’t hold a grudge even if it had handles. But I’m not above doing a little manipulation. “Only if Niall no longer owes you a favor.” When Beau hesitates, I add, “He was right to ask you to dig deeper.”
“Okay, okay.” Then he grins. “Well played, Daniels.”
I smirk.
When we reach Radcliff’s unit, he asks, “Will you resume helping me with the security holes?”
Will I? “It depends on Officer Radcliff.”
“Good luck with that.”
After I open the door, Beau gives me a jaunty wave good-bye. Radcliff’s in the kitchen so I duck into my room. And when he knocks to announce dinner, I tell him I’m not hungry. I’m not. At all. Who are you calling a coward?
A second knock sounds just before the door opens. Niall steps in and closes it behind him. He’s not in uniform, so I don’t hesitate to wrap my arms around him and pull him in for a kiss.
“What’s that for?” he asks a bit breathlessly a long time later.
“For believing in me.” I explain about Beau and the favor.
“Nice. Now can you do me a favor?”
I’ve a feeling I’m not going to like it. “What is it?”
“Come have dinner with me and my dad and save me from enduring an unpleasant meal by myself. I’m mad at him, too. He accused me of being duped by you and then covering for you.”
“Sounds like you’re not hungry either,” I say. “We can stay in here.”
“For another two minutes if we’re lucky.”
We glance at the door, expecting Radcliff to barge in at any moment.
“We can glare at him together,” he says. “Solidarity.”
“Oh, well, when you put it that way…”
He swoops in and gives me a kiss before we trudge out to the kitchen. The meal is a vegetable and ham casserole. We eat mostly in silence. Radcliff is either oblivious to our censure or very good at ignoring us. Halfway through, he receives a call and goes into his bedroom.
When Radcliff returns, he’s wearing his black jumpsuit and holding a pulse gun. “Another big sandstorm’s coming. We’re on alert.”
Niall jumps to his feet while my heart jams up my throat. Will there be another looter attack? There’s been a couple other sandstorms since that one, but all have been minor.
Niall squeezes my shoulder and says, “Later,” as if it’s a promise, before he bolts.
Radcliff hands me the weapon. “Can you assist Officer Dorey?”
“Doing what?” Yup, my voice trembles as much as my legs.
“Monitoring communications, ensuring no one compromises them.”
This morning I vowed not to help Officer Radcliff anymore. Now, with the possibility of the looters attacking the base, that particular drama seems so small and petty. “Of course.”
“Change into your jumpsuit and wait here for Dorey.”
“All right.”
Radcliff leaves. Hurrying to my room, I search for the garment. It’s one thing to put it on when you’re relaxed and have time, quite the other when you’re rushing and so not relaxed. First my foot gets stuck, then my arm, then I do this strange hopping wiggle to get it up over my shoulders. By the time I’m dressed, I’m out of breath and sweating.
A knock just about sends me a meter into the air. Clutching my weapon, I peek at the screen—something I haven’t done since living here. Beau waits outside. He’s also in a jumpsuit and wow, the man’s been hiding some serious muscles.
I open the door and tuck the pulse gun into its holster.
“Keep it in your hand,” Beau says. “Just in case.”
“Oh…kay.” I pull it out.
“Breathe, Lyra.” He waits while I suck in a few deep breaths. “Better?”
“Yes.”
“All right. Let’s go.” He sets a fast pace and we’re soon in the room next to Radcliff’s office.
There’s only one officer watching the camera. She’s also in a jumpsuit and armed.
“Go on, Tora. We got this,” he says to her.
She takes off. Beau locks the door. “I need you to monitor the cameras. If you see anything or anyone who doesn’t belong on base, let me know right away.”
“What are you going to do?” I ask.
“I’m going to monitor security through the Q-net. If the cameras go down, come join me. I’ll need your help.”
“Okay.” I sit on the chair. It’s still warm from Tora’s body heat and I get a whiff of a flowery perfume.
He heads to his office, but pauses in the threshold. “Oh, and Lyra, if an unauthorized person enters this area, shoot him or her.”
“Unauthorized?”
“Anyone not on the security team. Got it?”
“Yes. Don’t shoot Officer Radcliff no matter how much I want to.”
He laughs. “He deserves it, but that weapon won’t work on him or anyone on the team.”
“Pity.” Settling in, I scan the various screens on the right wall, before swiveling around to check the other bank. After a few minutes, I realize this is harder than it looks. I can’t watch them all at the same time, so I have to prioritize them. Of course the ones in the pits get the most scrutiny—oh, look, shadow-blobs—then the ones just outside the base, next are the ones inside the base’s entrances, and the interior ones get a brief glimpse before I start at the beginning.
Most of the security team is rushing to the pits. I spot Niall’s lean muscular form and a tight ball of worry joins the turmoil already sloshing in my stomach. Radcliff and two team members are in the port, donning B-apps in preparation for going outside. With Beau in here with me, that leaves eight of them to deal with any looters in the pits. Not nearly enough.
The scientists clog the corridors as they head to their units—the safest place for them. I search the cameras for my parents. They’re in the Control Center, directing the storm response teams. And…I peer closer. They’re armed! Way to go, Mom and Dad.
Soon after, the visibility on the outside cameras becomes limited by the blowing sand. Surrounded by other rooms, I can’t hear the wind, but sand grains pelt the roof. The officers reach the pits and fan out—two in each pit. Niall’s in Pit 4 with Keir.
Memories of the attack flash in my mind. At least four dozen looters invaded. Trained or not, our security team in the pits is still outnumbered six to one.
On the edge of my seat, I scan each monitor. Then again. And again. Each minute that passes increases my anxiety level. After an hour, I’m actually wishing for something, anything to happen or I’m going to explode.
Right here.
In this seat.
But all
remains…normal. The labs are empty. No looters invade the pits. The storm passes the base and the outside cameras show drifts of sand, but nothing else. Another hour passes before an all-clear signal sounds throughout the base. The officers in the port remove their B-apps as the eight in the pits head back.
Wilting in the chair, I finally relax.
Beau joins me. “False alarm.”
“You don’t sound surprised.”
“They already used that trick. I really didn’t expect them to try it again.”
“Then why go to all the trouble?” I gesture at the cameras.
“Just in case. Their leader might think it’s worth another shot. Plus, it’s always better to be prepared than caught unaware.”
True.
When everyone returns, the security team has a debriefing in the conference room. I man the cameras while they have their meeting. Tora returns with another man—I probably should learn all their names—to take over my post. Niall is waiting in Radcliff’s office to escort me back. My parents are also there, getting an update.
“No problems this time,” Dad says to me. “Such a relief.”
“Except for the GPR team’s shelters,” Mom adds.
“What happened?” I ask in alarm.
“Their shelters were damaged by the storm. They’re coming back for repairs in a few days.”
Oh.
Dad frowns at Mom. “Like I said, no real problems. We’re in the middle of a desert, sand is always going to be a nuisance for the field teams.”
I gesture to their guns. “And you were ready.”
“Tace suggested we have more armed people on base in case of an emergency,” Mom says. “Your father and I volunteered to go through the training. There’s a few others as well.”
Niall stifles a yawn. It’s close to twenty-two-hundred hours. I say good night to my parents.
It’s a quiet walk back, but once we get into Radcliff’s unit, Niall draws me in for a rib-cracking hug.
“What’s the matter,” I ask into his neck.
“Just glad that this time, I didn’t have to worry about finding you broken and bloody.”
I squeeze him back. “It was scary watching you go into the pits.”
Navigating the Stars Page 25